Description
Book SynopsisWomen Courageous: Leading Through the Labyrinth is a collection of true experiences by women from different parts of the world, leading in the political, academic, non-profit public, and private sectors. The stories illustrate their courage and also include a scholarly analysis to reshape our understanding of courage - how it shows up, develops, and facilitates transformation.
Through this work, the editors offer a new definition: 'Courage is pushing forward, step by step, while everything is holding you back. Often unnoticed by others, courageous acts come with great emotional challenges, and also with a sense of purpose and determination. Courage is how we transform, not only ourselves but those we support and love and the work to which we have dedicated our lives.'
This international group of authors weaves insights, research, and practices gleaned from walking the leadership labyrinth in their military, aerospace, public works, university, and school education, and nonprofit careers. The book offers stories of ambition, self-actualization, co-creation, as well as conflict, loss, betrayal, and healing, that will echo your own experience. The book will surprise you with new wisdom and releases fresh courage in all of us, to rise and meet the monumental challenges of this moment.
Trade ReviewWomen Courageous is about leaders fearlessly inhabiting their full power and changing the world.
-- Sally Helgesen, Author, How Women Rise, The Female Advantage, The Web of Inclusion
Courageous leadership and heroism often come with an unconscious bias as 'masculine' traits. Women Courageous: Leading Through the Labyrinth is a major contribution toward the recognition of the extraordinary courage, leadership, and heroism of women every day. Many of the chapter authors did not realize their roles as courageous leaders, but this very fact speaks to their often-overlooked contributions, and helps other women recognize the depth of their own courage.
-- Allan Combs, Ph.D., Author of Thomas Berry, Dreamer of the Earth; Changing Visions, etc., Professor of Transformative Studies, California Institute for Integral Studies, USA
The authors challenge the reader to deepen and expand the definition of courage as they present compelling stories of crisis and opportunity across personal, interpersonal, social group, and organizational contexts. Women Courageous is emergent reading for women and men.
-- Kevin Kane, Ed.D., Creighton University
Women Courageous invites practitioners and scholars to into their stories of courage, vulnerability, and in some cases triumph. This is not a 'how to' book but instead, a welcome companion for women who journey through the labyrinth. These stories remind us that sometimes courage roars, but more frequently courage is that steady heartbeat to try again tomorrow.
-- Leah Georges, Ph.D., Creighton University
In a world where so much of leadership seems driven by the cowardice of excessive self-interest, Women Courageous: Leading through the Labyrinth proves that courage is the element that can change the world.
-- Thomas A. Kolditz, Ph.D., Brigadier General, USA (ret), Author of Leadership Reckoning: Can Higher Education Develop the Leaders We Need?, Founding Director, Ann & John Doerr Institute for New Leaders, Director, Doerr Institute for New Leaders, Rice University
This is a major contribution to our understanding of real women leading across the globe and the role courage can play in a VUCA world where there are many challenges that at times go unforeseen. The 'real' stories provide a true picture of the amazing capacity and perseverance at the core of each woman.
-- Almarie E. Donaldson, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Leadership, Indiana Wesleyan University.
The authors of Women Courageous use powerful stories to convey and contextualize leadership by women through the labyrinth of life. Each chapter guides the reader through applicable leadership concepts and theories that come alive in every engaging personal story.
-- Gill Robinson Hickman, Ph.D., Professor Emerita, Jepson School of Leadership Studies, University of Richmond
Women Courageous has its foundation fascinating and powerful women's stories from around the globe. It doesn't stop there. The authors analyze the stories using research theories and in doing so bring deeper learning from the stories. Each chapter is structured just like good teaching.
-- Susan M. Fritz, Executive Vice President and Provost and the Dean of the Graduate College at the University of Nebraska
Never before has the texture and nuance of courage been so beautifully and generously shared in ways that expand even the most scholarly views about what courage actually is.
-- Susan MacKenty Brady, M.Ed., Simmons University, Deloitte Ellen Gabriel Chair for Women and Leadership, CEO, Simmons University Institute for Inclusive Leadership
This is a great read, particularly for those who feel that the glass ceiling is virtually impenetrable. The stories of women who have overcome significant challenges in forging their own path of influence and purpose are captivating.
-- Pauline van der Meer Mohr, Supervisory Board Chair and Deputy Chair of EY Netherlands and DSM N.V. respectively, Independent non-executive director, HSBC
This book is a treasure! Its tales of courage are original and inspiring. It is, however, not only a book about overcoming adversity. It's about the courage to be fully alive - to say yes to life!
-- Grant Ashfield, CEO LeadershipWorks, South Africa
This very timely and uplifting collection of stories inspires people and women worldwide to lead through their careers and their lives with passion, conviction, courage and purpose - a must-read for anyone navigating the complexity of managing oneself, others and organisations.
-- Eric Cornuel, Ph.D., Professor, General Director, and CEO of European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD)
When you read this book you accept an invitation to witness beautifully told journeys of remarkable, yet deeply human women. As much as this book is about them, it is a book for all of us. Their accounts inspire not only reflection, but the mindset and heartset that we need to encourage us to take our next steps forward.
-- Professor Nicola Kleyn, DBA, Dean of Executive Education, Executive Director RSM B.V., Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University
Table of ContentsChapter 1. Introduction;
Jennifer Moss Breen Part I. The Color of Courage
Chapter 2. An American in Uganda: Sharing Power and Living to Learn;
Alisha Damron Seruyange and Suzanne Stigler Martin Chapter 3. Leadership that Liberates: Cultivating Courage, Humility, and Identity;
Jennifer Tilghman-Havens Chapter 4. The Effects of Collective Trauma and Redefining My Relationship with Russia;
Yulia Tolstikov-Mast Part II. The Depths of Courage
Chapter 5. Dianne Bevelander: A Courageous Woman of Passion and Resilience;
Diane Coetzer and Mike Page Chapter 6. Leadership as Courageous Practice;
Linda K. Sibanyoni, Trisha Gott, and Mary Hale Tolar Chapter 7. Courageous Dreams and the Power to Build a Better World;
Madeleine van der Steege, Lisa Kinnear, and Karen Ortlepp Part III. The Boundarylessness of Courage
Chapter 8. Not Enough Space for Everyone: The True Courage of NASA Astronaut Jeanette Epps;
Karin L. Botto Chapter 9. Battalion Chief Jodi Gabelmann's Journey to Peace and Pride;
Jodi Gabelmann Battalion and Judith L. Glick-Smith Chapter 10. Seven Courageous Keys to Navigate the Labyrinth;
Claire Tucker-Reid Part IV. The Mandate of Courage
Chapter 11. Courage: A Seven Letter Word that Saved a Non-Profit;
Janice Cardwell Chapter 12. The Courage to Roar: Leadership Without Remorse;
Jenni Frumer and Jennifer Moss Breen Chapter 13. Lessons in Courageous Leadership;
Jill L. Lindsey Part V. The Choice of Courage
Chapter 14. Harnessing the Courage to Survive;
Jennifer Moss Breen Chapter 15. A Labyrinth of Pain and Peace;
Donnette Noble Chapter 16. Courage to Navigate a Man’s World;
Carly Speranza and Catherine England Part VI. The Shaping of Courage
Chapter 17. Transitions and Identity;
Celeste Raver Luning and Sylvie Raver Chapter18. Rock to Recovery: Resiliency in Loss;
Constance Scharff and Caroline Heldman Chapter 19. Choosing Authenticity: A Daily Practice;
Claire L. Wyneken
